What is the Kanji for 'Facing' and 'Yonder'? | 向

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Facing' and 'Yonder', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Facing' and 'Yonder' is 向.

kanji

向

Meaning

Facing, Yonder

Reading

kunyomiむ

むかい

mukai

onyomiこう

kou

Parts

丿Katakana no 冋Desert

Example Word

向上: improvement. The Japanese verbal noun '向上 (こうじょう)' means 'improvement' or 'advancement'. It refers to the act of making something better or enhancing its quality, often used in contexts related to skills, performance, or conditions. For example: improvement in skills「スキルの向上」(スキルのこうじょう). The company is aiming for improvement in productivity「会社は生産性の向上を目指している」(かいしゃはせいさんせいのこうじょうをめざしている). This term is commonly used in both personal and professional settings to describe progress or development.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

103

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 向

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

radical

丿

Meaning

Katakana no

radical

冋

Meaning

Desert

Words Using 向

This kanji is used in 20 words:

word

向かう

Meaning

Head, Face

word

向ける

Meaning

Direct

word

方向

Meaning

Direction

word

傾向

Meaning

Tendency, Trend

word

向こう

Meaning

Other side, Beyond

word

向こう側

Meaning

Other side

word

向く

Meaning

Face

word

向上

Meaning

Improvement

word

一向に

Meaning

Not at all

word

後ろ向き

Meaning

Backward

word

向け

Meaning

Targeted

word

志向

Meaning

Orientation

word

動向

Meaning

Trend

word

一向

Meaning

Not at all

word

振り向く

Meaning

Turn

word

向き

Meaning

Direction

word

向かい

Meaning

Opposite

word

前向き

Meaning

Positive

word

意向

Meaning

Intention

word

向き合う

Meaning

Face

Kanji Related to 向 Through the Part 丿

These 31 kanji contain the part 丿 as well.

kanji

八

Meaning

Eight

kanji

九

Meaning

Nine

kanji

千

Meaning

Thousand

kanji

月

Meaning

Moon, Month

kanji

川

Meaning

River

kanji

人

Meaning

Person

kanji

女

Meaning

Woman

kanji

手

Meaning

Hand

kanji

力

Meaning

Power

kanji

入

Meaning

Enter

kanji

先

Meaning

Before, Previous

kanji

赤

Meaning

Red

kanji

白

Meaning

White

kanji

少

Meaning

Few

kanji

弟

Meaning

Younger brother

kanji

自

Meaning

Self

kanji

毛

Meaning

Fur

kanji

心

Meaning

Heart

kanji

才

Meaning

Talent, Age

kanji

刀

Meaning

Sword

kanji

番

Meaning

Turn

kanji

身

Meaning

Body, Self

kanji

必

Meaning

Inevitable, Certain

kanji

失

Meaning

Lose, Fault

kanji

乏

Meaning

Scanty, Scarce

kanji

介

Meaning

Mediate, Jammed in

kanji

血

Meaning

Blood

kanji

寿

Meaning

Longevity, Congratulations

kanji

卑

Meaning

Mean, Lowly

kanji

朱

Meaning

Vermillion

kanji

羞

Meaning

Feel ashamed

Learn the Kanji 向

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 向 mean?

向 means 'Facing' and 'Yonder'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.